Traumatic Brain Injury

Though traumatic head injuries (TBI) are not always objectively apparent at the time of accident, common indications that TBI may result are loss of consciousness, inability to recall events immediately before or after the accident and alteration in mental state immediately following, such as feeling dazed, disoriented, or confused.

What To Look For With a TBI

After an accident, common symptoms of TBI in adults are the following:

persistent neck pain

ringing in the ears (tinnitus)

lapses in attention, perception, judgment or information processing

difficulty with memory, concentration, or decision making

trouble with cognition, abstract concepts, and time and space relationship

Because children are less aware of their habits and normal functioning than adults, it is important for adults to monitor children carefully if it is suspected that they are suffering from a TBI. Symptoms to look for in children include:

loss of energy or tiring easily

reduced interest in favorite toys or activities

irritability or crankiness

changes in eating or sleeping patters

changes in the manner in which the child plays, both alone and with others

The exact effects on an individual who suffers a TBI will vary greatly, depending on the force of impact the brain suffered and the location(s) of the injury on the brain. It is important to obtain a thorough medical examination following any accident so as to immediately determine all injuries received. To appreciate the extent of the injury, it is helpful to understand medical scales used to measure injuries involving TBI.

The Glasgow Coma Scale relates a patient’s ability to open his/her eyes, and respond to verbal commands and responses. Each level of response indicates the degree of brain activity.

Glasgow Coma Scale

Eyes Score

Open spontaneously
4

Open to verbal command
3

Open to pain
2

No response
1

Best Motor Responses to Verbal Command

Obeys verbal command
6

Best Motor Responses to Painful Stimulus

Localizes pain
5

Flexion – withdrawal
4

Flexion – abnormal
3

Extension
2

No response
1

Best Verbal Response

Oriented and converses
5

Disoriented and converses
4

Inappropriate words
3

Incomprehensible sounds
2

No response
1

Total Score:

Best Response

15

Comatose Response

8 or less

Totally Unresponsive

3

Speak With a Connecticut Traumatic Brain Injury Lawyer Today!

In cases involving Traumatic Brain Injury, it is essential that measures be taken promptly to preserve evidence, prove the nature and extent of your injuries and to enable expert medical witnesses to support the cause of your injuries.